Cops leave 'courtesy' tickets after car break-ins

The Stratford Police Department has come up with a unique solution to combat a rise in car break-ins and thefts ? "courtesy" tickets.Officers kicked off the Courtesy Ticket Program this week. They're leaving fluorescent-green tickets on parked cars at the Stratford train station parking lot, local shopping centers and residential areas. The effort is aimed at getting vehicle owners to lock their doors and take personal items out of sight.Police Capt. Kenneth Bakalar says not everyone will get the tickets, though. "We're looking for cars that stick out," Bakalar says. "Unfortunately, if it's easy for [officers] to see what we're looking for, it's easy for everyone else."

Anyone with information about the recent car break-ins is asked to call police at 203-385-4100.